Method and apparatus for voice and internet programming of wireless device features

Abstract

A system and method for use in remotely adjusting, activating, or reprogramming features of a wireless device by utilizing a web interface or portal, such as a computer connected by a network to a server, or by telephone access to an IVR menu on the server, is described. Upon recognition of the command, the server issues a short message service (SMS) message, GPRS message, Bluetooth transmission, WIFI transmission, JAVA, or other data signal, or other type of wireless instruction to the wireless device to modify the desired feature. Alternatively, the wireless device can be prompted by a predetermined caller ID number as a unique programming command to be implemented by the wireless device for adjustments to an operational feature.

1 . A method of programming a feature of a wireless device by a user comprising the steps of:
 providing a wireless device capable of receiving an instruction for programming the feature from a server;   providing a server which is capable of receiving input from the user corresponding to the feature of a wireless device; and   transmitting an instruction for programming the feature corresponding to the user's input from the server to the wireless device via a wireless connection.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the server is programmed with an interactive voice response function and the user input is received by voice communication through the interactive voice response function. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the user input is received via an Internet connection. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by SMS. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by WIFI. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by Bluetooth. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by JAVA. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by GPRS. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by placing a telephone call to the wireless device using a predetermined CID number, and wherein the wireless device is capable of receiving telephone transmissions and is programmed to execute the instruction for programming the feature upon receiving an incoming telephone transmission associated with the predetermined CID number. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the wireless device comprises a cell phone. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for programming a feature of a wireless device by a user comprising:
 a wireless device capable of receiving an instruction for programming the feature from a server;   a server which is capable of receiving input from the user corresponding to the feature of a wireless device and transmitting an instruction for programming the feature corresponding to the user's input to the wireless device via a wireless connection.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the server is programmed with an interactive voice response function and the user input is received by voice communication through the interactive voice response function. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the user input is received via an Internet connection. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by SMS. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by WIFI. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by Bluetooth. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by JAVA. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by GPRS. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the server is programmed to transmit the instruction for programming the feature to the wireless device by placing a telephone call to the wireless device using a predetermined CID number, and wherein the wireless device is capable of receiving telephone transmissions and is programmed to execute the instruction for programming the feature upon receiving an incoming telephone transmission associated with the predetermined CID number. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the wireless device comprises a cell phone.